Clemens Betzel

Clemens Betzel
Born 9 June 1895
Ulm
Died 27 March 1945(1945-03-27) (aged 49)
Danzig
Allegiance  German Empire (to 1918)
 Weimar Republic (to 1933)
 Nazi Germany (to 1945)
Service/branch Heer
Years of service 1914–45
Rank Generalleutnant
Commands held 4. Panzer-Division
Battles/wars

World War I

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Clemens Betzel (9 June 1895 – 27 March 1945) was a German general who commanded the 4. Panzer-Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Clemens Betzel was killed on 27 March 1945 in Danzig.

Awards and decorations

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
3 November 1944 In der Abwehrschlacht südöstlich Libau haben die fränkisch-bayrische 4. Panzer-Division unter Führung von Generalmajor Betzel und die norddeutsche 30. Infanterie-Division unter Führung des Obersten Barth den erstrebten Durchbruch des Feindes in zäher Abwehr und durch schwungvollen Gegenangriff an entscheidender Stelle vereitelt.[5] In the defensive battle southeast Libau, the Franco-Bavarian 4 Panzer Division under the command of Major General Betzel and the North German 30 Infantry Division under the leadership of Colonel Barth, have thwarted the aspired breakthrough of the enemy at a critical point in tough defense and sweeping counter-attack.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Thomas 1997, p. 42.
  2. ↑ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 40.
  3. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 112.
  4. ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 82.
  5. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 573.

Bibliography

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6. 
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8. 
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2. 
  • Stockert, Peter (2008). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 8 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 8] (in German). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. OCLC 76072662. 
  • Thomas, Franz (1997). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 1: A–K [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 1: A–K] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2299-6. 
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 [The Wehrmacht Reports 1939–1945 Volume 3, 1 January 1944 to 9 May 1945] (in German). München, Germany: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. 1985. ISBN 978-3-423-05944-2. 

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
General der Panzertruppen Dietrich von Saucken		 Commander of 4. Panzer-Division
1 May 1944 – 27 March 1945 		Succeeded by
Oberst Ernst-Wilhelm Hoffmann


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